US to Boost Nigeria’s Security with Intelligence, Defence Support

The Presidency says the United States Government has expressed a renewed commitment to strengthening security cooperation with Nigeria, including enhanced intelligence sharing and the provision of military equipment to support counter-terrorism and counter-extremism operations.

The development follows a series of high-level meetings in Washington last week between senior Nigerian officials and key arms of the US Government, aimed at deepening defence ties and expanding strategic partnerships.

Led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian delegation met with representatives of the US Congress, the State Department, the National Security Council, the Department of War, and the White House Faith Office, in engagements described as frank, constructive, and forward-looking.

The delegation, which also included the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, used the visit to address misconceptions about Nigeria’s security landscape and to highlight ongoing reforms within the defence and policing sectors.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the meetings helped reinforce mutual trust between both countries and opened new areas of cooperation centred on protecting vulnerable communities and strengthening early-warning systems.

“The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt,” Onanuga said.

“The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations and technical support to improve early-warning mechanisms across conflict-prone areas,” he added.

He noted that both countries agreed to commence the implementation of a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate actions in priority areas. Onanuga reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to improving civilian protection and addressing concerns surrounding religious freedom and security, urging citizens to remain assured that the Federal Government is taking firm and coordinated steps to safeguard the nation.